WMMC Super Bowl Babies Celebrate Their 50th Birthdays

Pictured (left to right): Jeff Hudson and Beth Russell Neuhoff were born hours apart from each other at Western Missouri Medical Center during the Super Bowl IV. They will be cheering for another Kansas City Chiefs victory during Super Bowl LIV while also celebrating their 50th birthdays.

Warrensburg, MO (January 30, 2020) — Fifty years ago, two local families were about to deliver their new babies at Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) during Super Bowl IV when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings.

Close friends Dee Hudson and Sandy Russell, were both in labor and shared the same room before going into the delivery room.

“We were waiting, waiting, waiting for them to deliver,” said Judge Bob Russell. “We were watching the Super Bowl while we were waiting. Finally, about the time that Jan Stenerud kicked his first field goal, Sandy delivered Beth. She won the race on the day.”

“Dr. Folkner delivered both of our babies, but while we waited in labor he sat and watched the game with us,” said Dee Hudson. “Sandy delivered Beth first [on Jan. 11, 1970], so she waited up for me with a candy bar and coke to celebrate. My son Jeff came shortly after midnight on Jan. 12, 1970.”

According to the Johnson County Missouri Historical Society, the late A.L. Folkner, MD, who served the Warrensburg community for over three decades, had a passion for sports. His athletic abilities led to a football scholarship at the University of Central Missouri and later served as a team physician for several years. He also served as chief of staff at Western Missouri Medical Center.

Dr. A.L. Folkner 

Beth shared, “Dr. Folkner always told me I was his favorite patient because he delivered me during the Super Bowl and because he was a big Chiefs fan. But, knowing Dr. Folkner, he was the best doctor ever and loved all his patients, so he probably told Jeff that too!”

They spent that day, together, celebrating the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory and their new babies. In fact, they were up so late after both babies arrived that the nurses called Dr. Folkner.

Dee shared, “Dr. Folkner told the nurses, ‘I’m telling you to tell them to get some sleep!’ ”

“They [WMMC staff] were so good to me,” said Dee. “I had been on bed rest at WMMC for a month prior to delivering my son Jeff. They took extra steps to make my stay special.”

To learn more about WMMC’s Labor and Delivery, visit WMMC.com/Obstetrics.

 

Do you have a story about your experience at WMMC that you want to share with us? We want to hear it! Contact Ellie Schmutz at (660) 262-7472 or email eschmutz@wmmc.com to share your experience today!

About Western Missouri Medical Center
Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is a fully-accredited acute care county medical center located in Warrensburg, MO. WMMC prides itself in emergency care, obstetrics, orthopedic and general surgery, family healthcare, internal medicine, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care, rehabilitation services and more. Inpatient services include medical, surgical, intensive, obstetrical, orthopedic, pediatric and skilled nursing care, as well as a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic outpatient services. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Learn more at WMMC.com.

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